November 2004

Release Date: November 19, 2004

Texas State University System Regents Conduct ASU Business

The regents of the Texas State University System in a meeting Friday, Nov. 19, in San Marcos considered several items related to Angelo State University.

The board accepted a 12th class day enrollment figure of 6,137 for the fall 2004 semester; authorized an expansion of ASU's table of programs by requesting planning authority from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in case the university seeks in the future to expand its degree offerings beyond the master's level; and approved a revised table of programs for submission to the Coordinating Board.

Regents also changed the name of the Communications, Drama and Journalism Department by dropping the "s" in communication to reflect standard usage in the field. Effective with the spring semester, the unit will be known as the Department of Communication, Drama and Journalism.

Board members also approved four items related to campus planning and construction. They authorized ASU to contract with Agnew and Associates for engineering services not to exceed $27,100 for plans and specifications for the phased installation of lighting at the Intramural Fields. Regents okayed a $280,000 contract with Templeton Construction Co. Inc. for phase II of renovations in the Academic Building.

They also approved a request for qualifications for performance contracting for a consultant to plan campus-wide infrastructure renovation and replacements. The board also approved an amendment to its lease agreement with the San Angelo Colts baseball team to permit a sublease of property for the construction of a bank.

Regents approved $239,514 in routine budget adjustments. They approved a $6 increase in designated tuition to $56 per semester credit hour, effective with the fall 2005 semester to partially offset a 5 percent reduction in state funding. Additionally, the board increased the technology services fee $2 to $15 per semester credit hour and the recreational sports fee from $22 to $24 per semester credit hour. An advising fee of $25 per semester was established to fund the new Office of Academic Advising, starting next fall. The board okayed a 4 percent increase in all meal plans and adopted residence hall room rates to reflect actual costs of operation.

In other business the board approved routine personnel items and designated Frederick Moyer as the AEP-Texas Distinguished Visiting Professor at ASU for the fall semester.

Regents also acknowledged $188,841 in major gifts to the university and agreed to name the new Ram Radio production Facilities on the third floor of the Porter Henderson Library in honor of the late Concho Valley broadcasting pioneer Walton Foster, a San Angelo College graduate and supporter of ASU broadcasting education until his death in 1995.

The TSUS board serves as the governing body for ASU and the other eight institutions making up the system. The other institutions are Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College-Orange, Lamar State College-Port Arthur, Sam Houston State University, Sul Ross State University, Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College and Texas State University-San Marcos.